Wrap-around fixture



Sept. 19, 1967 J. E. GORNET WRAP-AROUND FIXTURE Filed Beef Srwzrflbb JOHN E. GOP/VET United States Patent Ofl ice 3,342,987 Patented Sept. 19, 1967 Missouri Filed Dec. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 510,889 1 Claim. (Cl. 24051.11)

This invention relates to lighting fixtures, and particularly to so-called wrap-around fixtures.

In a wrap-around lighting fixture in which a plastic panel is used, the plastic panel is made in one piece, with a substantially flat horizontal central web, two vertical side walls one on either side of the central web and two inwardly projecting top walls or flanges one on each vertical side wall making the panel C-shaped in end elevation. The two ends of the panel are open, and are ordinarily closed in use by metal end closures which may be carried by a fluorescent fixture on which the panel is mounted, by the panel, or by some combination of the two. In those fixtures in which the end closures are carried by the panel, it has been customary to use a tierod extending from one end to the other, within the confines of the panel, to tie the end closures together.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an end closure element which is mounted directly on the panel itself, which requires no tie-rod, and which supports and re-enforces the panel.

Another object is to provide such a closure element which is light in weight, simple to manufacture and install, and economical.

Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the following description and accompanying drawing.

In accordance with this invention, generally stated, in a wrap-around lighting fixture having an elongated plastic panel, C-shaped in end elevation, a closure element is provided for each end of said panels, which closure includes a closure wall adapted to be positioned parallel to the plane of end-defining edges of the panel, and, integral with the closure wall, a flange shaped complementarily to the panel and adapted to embrace the panel at one end. The closure element has a plurality of clip members, secured to the closure wall and spaced from the flange a distance tightly to receive the panel edges between the clip members and the flange. Each of the clip members has a securing tab engaging theclosure wall and secured to it, an intermediate spring section, a lip, defining with the flange a panel-edge-receiving mouth, and a biting tooth projecting from the clip toward the flange. The biting tooth digs into the plastic panel, and is preferably angled toward the closure wall.

In the preferred embodiment, the lip is a broad flatfaced part, with a tooth at each inner corner.

In the drawing, FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of closure element of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken transversely through a wrap-around panel and the flange portion of the closure element mounted on the panel.

Referring now to the drawing for one illustrative embodiment of closure element of this invention, reference numeral 1 indicates a wrap-around panel, made of plastic, with a closure element mounted on one end.

The panel 1 has a horizontal planar central web 2, side walls 3, and top walls or flanges 4, integral with the side walls, and, in this embodiment, parallel with the central web 2. In use, the top walls or flanges 4 hook over a ledge on either side of a fluorescent fixture, not here shown, and support the panel 1. The two ends of the panel 1 are open, and are squarely cut oif with respect to the Walls of the panel 1, in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the bottom panel web 2.

The closure element 10 includes a closure wall 11, which, in its installed position, lies closely adjacent and in substantially the same plane as or a parallel plane with the plane of the end of the panel 1. The closure wall 11 is U-shaped, with a center span 12 and vertical legs 13, all of substantial width, to serve the function of a closure. A flange 15, extending perpendicularly to the closure wall 11, extends around the outer edge of the closure wall 11, and over the upper ends of the legs 13, to define, in end elevation, a C-shape complementary to the exterior shape of the panel 1.

In the embodiment shown, three clips 20 are secured to the inner side of the closure wall 11, one in the center of the center span 12, and one on each leg 13, all as shown particularly in FIGURE 1. Each of the clips 20 includes a securing tab 21, brazed, welded, or otherwise secured to the closure wall, an intermediate spring section 22, a lip 23, and two biting teeth 24, one at either inner corner of the lip 23.

The tab 21 is secured toward the inner free edge of the closure Wall 11, so as to leave an unobstructed passage between the clip and the flange 15. The spring section 22 tends in a direction toward the flange 15, and the teeth 24 project into a passage 26 defined between the inner edge of the lip 23 and the flange 15. The passage 26 is of a width snugly to receive the edge of the panel 1. The teeth 24, projecting into the passage 26 require that the clip be sprung away from the flange 15 to admit the panel. The outward inclination of the flat faced lip 23 provides a camming action and a guiding element which makes installation of the panel on the closure ele- 1 ment (or the mounting of the closure element on the panel) easy.

The spacing of the clips 20 and the provision of the clear passage 26 all the way to the closure Wall ensures a snug fit of the panel walls against the flange 15, both along the central span, and along the two legs. This helps to ensure the structural integrity of the panel, which, because of the wide unsupported span of the center section, has a tendency to bow.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

In a wrap-around lighting fixture wherein an elongated plastic panel is provided with long side walls of substantial vertical height integral with a horizontal panel portion; said panel having C-shaped open ends, defined by edges of said panel lying in substantially a single plane, the improvement comprising end support and closure means including a closure wall adapted to be positioned parallel to the plane of the end-defining edges of the panel, and, integral with said closure wall, a flange shaped complementarily to said panel and adapted to embrace said panel at one end thereof, and a plurality of clip members, secured to the closure wall and spaced from the flange a distance tightly to receive the panel edges between the clip members and the flange, each of said clip members comprising a securing tab engaging and secured to said closure wall, an intermediate spring section, a lip, defining with the flange a panel-edge-receiving mouth, and a biting tooth projecting from said clip toward the said flange.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,060,309 10/1962 Odgen et al. 240-5L11 3,101,178 8/1963 Young 240'51.11

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner RICHARD M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner. 

